HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush review

HOT WHEELS has always been a firm favourite in my house. However, whenever I see the franchise expanding, I always worry that it is a bit of a cash cow. Sadly, this was my first thought when I saw HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush. Games like this tend to be shallow, underwhelming, and instantly forgettable. Thankfully, it wasn’t that bad, even if the gameplay is repetitive, shallow, and ridiculously easy for an adult.

Milestone S.r.l. has developed this action-adventure racing experience. It is a single-player, online, and couch co-op title. Furthermore, it is ridiculously colourful, and the world is broken down across several main regions. In each one, you discover a handful of races, loads of secrets, and plenty of cars to collect. Accordingly, a lot is going on even if it doesn’t push you too hard.

HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush has no plot.

I was surprised that HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush had no plot. This was disappointing, as it adds to the shallow nature of the gameplay. I’m not saying a story would have made much difference, but it would have been nice if there had been an evil boss to chase or some reason for flying between the islands. Instead, you focus on collecting cars, completing races, and driving at ridiculous speeds.

This approach is a little underwhelming for adults, but it’s the perfect design for younger gamers or those who love adrenaline-fuelled action. My kids coped with every race and stunt track they discovered. Additionally, they loved speeding around the different islands. Whether it was a futuristic Japan-like location or a swampy off-road experience, they enjoyed every moment.

Basic ideas.

HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush has effectively split its energy into racing and exploration. The races comprise 4 different car categories. Sadly, they all handle similarly, with the exception of the drift racing. There are elimination races, points events, and standard podium hunting. Each is a colourful, fast-paced, and exciting affair for younger players. Older gamers will sadly hit the front of the pack and never look back. Consequently, it is a little too easy if you love to be tested.

The exploration elements push you a little bit more. Here, you are looking for an array of random tasks. You’ll be asked to enter photo mode and take a picture with certain criteria. Alternatively, you’ll race to the dealership while trying to keep the car as safe as possible. On top of this, there are cogs to collect, stickers to find, and a host of other minor tasks. None of these ideas is complex, but they make the exploration elements pretty fun.

HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush looks pretty clean.

I was surprised by how clean HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush looked. With its vibrant style, large open world, and 3D modelling, it was great to look at. It is no Forza, but for a family-friendly and ridiculously fast experience, it does a great job. Furthermore, it performs particularly well. There were minor bugs, but the frame rate is consistent throughout. The audio is as expected. It is loud, uncomfortable, and pretty forgettable. However, it does exactly what it needs to, and I was impressed by the different noises, the powerful engines, and the host of different sound effects.

The controls were great for older and younger gamers. You have a boost button, the ability to drift, and simple and responsive inputs. I admit that it took me a few minutes to get used to the sensitivity, but once I got things nailed down, it was great fun to play. Replay value is limited to your love of arcade racing and the franchise. I’d say this is more of a casual title, so tackling it in small, manageable chunks is the best way to get through it.

HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush is fun but very simple.

HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush is a fun, family-friendly arcade racer. It is perfectly safe, clean, and vibrant. Additionally, it is ideal if you have kids who want to waste a few hours without the risk of violence. Although it lacks the depth of other racing games, it does exactly what you expect. Accordingly, it is good, and I recommend grabbing a copy from the Xbox Store!